A member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, Baizley was instrumental in the European influence on the game, representing Hedberg and fellow Swede Ulf Nilsson when they joined the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association in the 1970s.

Nilsson, living in Sweden, heard the news through an email from Hedberg and took the news of his good friend’s death hard.

“It’s really sad,” Nilsson told the Winnipeg Sun from Stockholm. “Because Don has meant so much to me and my family. I’m thinking of him almost every day when I’m getting stuck in blame or judging people. Not to judge people, but try to understand where they’re coming from — that’s one of the best lessons that I got from Don.

“He was a father figure, mentor and friend at the same time.”

Nilsson, who kept in constant touch with Baizley, said his honesty, humility and desire to forge agreements that were good for both sides set him apart.

“Everybody respected him. Players respected him, management respected him. That’s not something you can say about many people acting as hockey agents.”

A good friend of the Winnipeg Jets front office, Baizley could often be found in the press box at Jets games, even as he battled non-smokers lung cancer over the last year.

“The sport of hockey and particularly the game in Winnipeg lost a legend today,” True North Sports and Entertainment chairman Mark Chipman said in a statement. “He was an incredible friend and a great resource of information and guidance as the Manitoba Moose passed through the years and into the NHL with the return of the Winnipeg Jets. He will be missed.”

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff described Baizley as “honest, yet fair and a true gentleman in what can sometimes be difficult circumstances.”

Admiration for Baizley wasn’t limited to Manitoba, though.

A year ago, when his illness became public, Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray told the Sun Baizley was an agent who cared deeply about the game, “not just in getting every bloody dollar you can get.”

At the time, Hedberg said he often asked general managers if they had a hockey-playing son, who they’d want as an agent.

“The answer came back exactly the same way, immediately,” Hedberg said. “That has to do with integrity.”

Baizley’s death comes as the hockey world gathers in Newark, N.J., this weekend for the NHL draft.

“We will celebrate the life of someone who I believe was THE most respected man in the game,” tweeted TSN’s Bob McKenzie.